Wolf has been very underrated this whole season. He was doing great until he went on the DL. People have been turned off by him because he only has 3 wins, but they dont realize he has not had the run support to get the wins. He did have a 2.98 ERA before hitting the DL, and he should return to that form within a start or two. Now that the Phillies are hitting the ball better, he should get more wins, and that puts his value over Lidge IMO.

G-Man wrote:wolf is historically a guy who falters a bit in the 2nd half but run support will always be there and I think he will round into form shortly....Lidge on the other hand seems to be a prime candidate for overuse and may tire down the stretch. tough comparison either way.

Actually in 2002 I think he was dominant in the 2nd half. Last year he sucked. I guess we'll find out the true Wolf this year...

Absolutely stay with Lidge.

ajgnyaoui - are you like living in the cafe? Have you been kicked out of the house or something - because you've been in here and in every thread all week? just curious.

I'm in here alot more now rather than like a month ago because it's summer and there's no school. I'm not in here as much as you say but I've posted more frequently now that I have alot of time on my hands.

really cant say anything without knowing your team and league specifics but based on pure 5x5 roto value, i think Lidge has the upper hand right now. but saves are always a crapshoot and if he doesnt get enough opps (stros offense picks it up and they start blowing teams out), then... tough one.

[size=10]Manny Ramirez....$20 million
Pedro Martinez....$17.5 million
Curt Schilling...$12 million (and a $2 million bonus)
Never hearing a Yankee fan chant 1918 again...priceless. [/size]

G-Man wrote:Lidge on the other hand seems to be a prime candidate for overuse and may tire down the stretch.

I think this is over-looked a lot. Even last year people were saying he's being used far too often. He pitched 85 innings last year and is on pace for 93 this year. For a RP, especially a power pitcher like Lidge, that's too much.

Last year August and September were his 2 worst months; selling high after the AS break isn't a bad idea.

I like to give the edge to starters over relievers in most cases like this, and I'd take Wolf over Lidge. There are relivers who put up similar ratios to Lidge, just that they aren't closers, so they don't contribute in saves.

Since this is the case, I'd rather take Wolf, who is largely considered to be a pretty solid, about #3 fantasy starter, when healthy who can eat up innings and maintain solid ratios and pick up wins and strikeouts. This type of starter is, in my opinion, either rarer or more valuable than a lights out closer, as saves aren't overly hard to come by with Graves and Cordero(s) and Mesa showing that this year.

The odds of the AL MVP coming from the American League are looking pretty good.

G-Man wrote:Lidge on the other hand seems to be a prime candidate for overuse and may tire down the stretch.

I think this is over-looked a lot. Even last year people were saying he's being used far too often. He pitched 85 innings last year and is on pace for 93 this year. For a RP, especially a power pitcher like Lidge, that's too much.

Last year August and September were his 2 worst months; selling high after the AS break isn't a bad idea.

the interesting thing is that the astros MUST have realized that by moving dotel, lidge's workload would undoubtedly increase. that is why it is such a luxury to have a stud setup guy, allowing you to play matchups efficiently without abusing your most trustworthy arm in the pen. I would certainly agree with LBJackal that looking into selling high on lidge might not be a bad idea. plus there is always the chance that the stros realize the same thing and acquire a closer, allowing lidge to setlle back into his setup role.